Overton Schools Exploring Audio Systems To Help With Students’ Hearing

Overton County Schools are testing out devices to help students hear better in the classroom.

Director of Schools Donnie Holman said that 30 percent of students have some form of hearing loss that they aren’t even aware of.

“A common misconception about this is that this will make the teachers’ voice much louder, but that’s not the case,” Holman said. “They just take the teacher’s voice at a normal tone and distribute it around the room evenly. This wouldn’t be a loud classroom and disturbing the classroom next to it, as a matter of fact, it’s quite the opposite of that.”

Holman said that there are two options for devices: portable and permanent. He said that they are currently testing portable devices in two classrooms.

Holman said that so far, the portable devices have been a huge success. He said that they hope that this could better prepare students for third grade, where they see the most difficulty.

“I’ve spoken with our data person here and I want her to help me analyze the data as the years go on,” Holman said. “To see if we are better preparing our students for third grade. Third grade can be a little trying when it comes to test scores and student achievement. So we’re just trying to help our students to be better prepared. Also, the state department greatly, greatly, looks at the data from third grade, sow e want to make sure our students are ready for that. So if this will assist them, then I think it’s worth a try.”

Holman said that he has already received great feedback from the test classrooms. He said that the goal will be to eventually implement these devices in all schools across the district.